The Police Service of Northern Ireland is to buy two UAS, for the huge security operation for the G8 summit in County Fermanagh in June.
Flown by operators on the ground, the aircraft can relay live pictures from high quality cameras.
The PSNI owns two helicopters and leases another, and has announced plans to buy a fourth for an estimated £7m.
It is understood the unmanned aircraft will cost around £1m.
The PSNI has told the policing board it wants to buy the UAS for use during the G8 summit and afterwards to combat terrorism and crime.
Source: BBC